As more business allow employees to work from home and set up home offices, plenty of attention has been paid to IT security issues. But what about the physical security of hardware and documents?
That’s where home security can come in, and it’s a market Canada’s telcos are increasingly looking to address as they look to expand their businesses into new verticals. Rogers Communications has its Rogers Home Monitoring offering, and now Bell Alliant is tossing its hat into the home security ring.
Bell Alliant announced Tuesday that its NextGen Home Security service is now available in seven Atlantic communities: Halifax, Sydney, St. John’s, Saint John, Moncton, Fredericton and Charlottetown. The service allows customers to auto-monitor, protect and control their home using a smartphone, tablet or PC.
“We’re delivering the future of home security and automation technology to customers – today,” said said Dan McKeen, senior vice-president, customer solutions at Bell Aliant. “Powered by our world class broadband network, NextGen Home Security helps people create a truly digital home. This is not your parents’ security system. It’s so much more, with built in peace of mind plus digital features that put you in the driver’s seat so you can manage your whole home even when you can’t be there.”
Features of the Internet-based home security service includes the ability to receive texts when someone enters the home and then view a video of the person walking through the door, to remotely arm and disarm the system, lock and unlock doors and check on their home, children or family pet from a smartphone, tablet or PC.
A standard package costs $34.95/month for current Bell Alliant customers, and includes 24/7 professional monitoring and remote management via web portal and mobile devices. The Plus package adds in secure video monitoring, lighting and small appliance control for $44.95/month, allowing customization and the ability to automate devices such as door locks and thermostats.